Spanning 137.6 miles across North Carolina, this trip from Forest City to High Point typically takes about 2 hours and 47 minutes. Because the duration is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You should budget approximately $22 for fuel to cover the journey. Your path will take you across the Southeast region, utilizing key routes like the Cameron Morrison Bridge, US 29, and the Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway. It is a straightforward drive that connects two distinct areas of the state without demanding too much of your time, making it an efficient choice for travelers prioritizing speed and simplicity over a multi-day adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
68.8 miles from Forest City, NC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Forest City, NC and High Point, NC.
1
Start on Cherry Mountain Street
54 ft·3 sec·Cherry Mountain Street
2
Turn left onto US 74 Business; US 221A
0.2 mi·53 sec·East Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 221A
1.4 mi·3 min·South Broadway Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
5
Merge onto US 74
12 mi·13 min·Solon David Smart Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit onto US 74
12 mi·17 min·West Dixon Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 74
1.8 mi·2 min·Andrew Jackson Highway
8
Continue on US 74
6.8 mi·7 min·Senator J. Ollie Harris Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward I 85, US 29 South: Charlotte, Spartanburg
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·55 sec
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 85
18 mi·21 min·Senator Marshall Arthur Rauch Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 85
59 mi·1 hr 8 min·Cameron Morrison Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
4.1 mi·4 min·I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29; US 70
1.9 mi·2 min·US 29; US 70
Toward US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point
15
Continue on US 29; US 64; US 70
1.6 mi·2 min·US 29; US 64; US 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29; US 70
16 mi·17 min·US 29; US 70
Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 70 East: High PointUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward South Main Street, ArchdaleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.8 mi·3 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip with only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure your 2-hour and 47-minute drive remains smooth and predictable. Because you are primarily traversing local roads rather than high-speed interstates, keep an eye on your navigation to account for the frequent turns along the route. Use your single stop strategically to refuel or stretch your legs, as the 137.6-mile distance is manageable in one go. Staying mindful of the turn-heavy nature of the roads will help you maintain a steady pace throughout the entire journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.8 miles from Forest City, NC, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 30 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.8 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near High Point, NC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Forest City, NC so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Forest City, NC
This is one driving day of about 137.6 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Forest City, NC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Cameron Morrison Bridge for about 59.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.7 and 135.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
34.7 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Gastonia, Charlotte
8
112.5 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70 toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Winston-Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 North, US 52 North: Lexington, Win...
6
116.6 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|US 29; US 70
Keep slight right at fork onto US 29; US 70 toward US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point
8
120.1 mi into trip|~2h 26m in|US 29; US 70
Keep slight left at fork onto US 29; US 70 toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 70 East: High Point
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 Business North, US 29 North, US 70...
7
135.6 mi into trip|~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward South Main Street, Archdale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward South Main Street, Archdale
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.52 one way
$43.04 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$23.53
$47.05
premium
$4.70
$25.47
$50.93
diesel
$5.61
$30.38
$60.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.3
0
$14.45
$6.60
Efficient EV
34.4
0
$12.04
$5.50
EV Truck/SUV
55
0
$19.26
$8.81
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Forest City, NC
Night
in Forest City on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
High Point, NC
Night
in High Point on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 47m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than a monotonous interstate grind. With only 17% of the route consisting of major highways, you will spend most of your time navigating local roads that require your full attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 59.4 miles while crossing the Cameron Morrison Bridge. While the path remains functional and direct, the mix of highway segments and local turns creates a varied driving experience. Be prepared for a transition from the winding character of smaller roads to the more consistent flow of the larger highway sections as you approach your destination.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.4 mi on Cameron Morrison Bridge.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 137.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.5 miles (I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.6 miles (US 29; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,014 ft592 ft
Total Climb
563 ft
Total Descent
655 ft
Highest Point
1,014 ft
Elevation Range
423 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Forest City, NC and High Point, NC, road signs point toward Spartanburg, Charlotte and Winston-Salem.
Spartanburg
34.6 mi in|~46m
Charlotte
34.7 mi in|~46m
Winston-Salem
112.5 mi in|~2h 16m|via I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70
High Point is part of the Piedmont Triad in North Carolina, along with Greensboro and Winston-Salem. High Point is often referred to as the furniture capital of the world due not only to the large number of furniture manufactures in the area, but also because of the International Home Furnishings Markets held each spring and fall. Over 8 million square feet of showroom space is used to draw over 70,000 people from all over the world to each market. This nearly doubles the population of High Point resulting in an economic boom to the entire Triad Area as hotel and motel rooms sell out and many residents rent out rooms, floors, or even their entire home for all or part of the 7 to 10 days during the market period.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 137.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.4 miles on Cameron Morrison Bridge. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at High Point, NC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.5 miles (I 285; US 29; US 52; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.6 miles (US 29; US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at High Point, NC before heading back.
